Safeguarding

"Support & Comfort"
“We cannot place a high enough importance on safeguarding issues. It is vital that lessons are learned throughout the whole of the Church of England. Every day, the vulnerable come to us for shelter, for support and for comfort. Their trust cannot be taken for granted.” - Archbishop Justin Welby

It Matters
The Church is called to share the good news of God’s salvation through Jesus Christ. The life of our communities and institutions is integral to how we address this task. The good news speaks of welcome for all, including those who are most vulnerable, into a community where the value and dignity of every person is affirmed and those in positions of responsibility and authority are truly trustworthy. Being faithful to our call to share the gospel therefore compels us to take with the utmost seriousness the challenge of preventing abuse from happening and responding well where it has. From ‘Promoting a Safer Church’, The Church of England’s Safeguarding Policy Statement.

Our Policy
The following policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 14th January 2019.
In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy our church is committed to:

· Promoting a safer environment and culture.· Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the church.· Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation.· Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons.· Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons.· Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others.

The Parish sets out to: · Create a safe and caring place for all.· Have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) to work with the incumbent and the PCC to implement policy and procedures.· Safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for children, young people and adults to have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse.· Ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in the name of the parish.· Display in church premises and on the Parish website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs.· Listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse.· Take steps to protect children and adults when a safeguarding concern of any kind arises, following House of Bishops guidance, including notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) and statutory agencies immediately.· Offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred.· Care for and monitor any member of the church community who may pose a risk to children and adults whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties.· Ensure that health and safety policy, procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed annually.· Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practices at least annually.

Each person who works within this church community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church.
This church appoints Paul Bright as the Parish Safeguarding Officer.
Signed by the following on behalf of the PCC: Incumbent: Reverend Mark Searle. Churchwardens; Pippa Page and Ben Wynne Date: 14.1.2019

Key information
The Parish Handbook aims to further strengthen the Church’s approach to safeguarding by bringing into one place the safeguarding responsibilities for parishes as outlined in the House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policies and Practice Guidance. It has been designed to support the day to day work of all parishes in relation to safeguarding and those that have a key role to play with children, young people and adults who may be vulnerable. Parish Safeguarding Handbook

Safeguarding in the church community is everyone’s responsibility and we would like for the whole congregation to have at least a basic level of understanding. The Church of England have produced a helpful short online module-C0, which you can access using this link https://safeguardingtraining.cofeportal.org/ Please take time to brief yourself. Those of us who specifically work with children and vulnerable adults receive further training.

If you are concerned that someone you know is at risk of, or is being abused, or presents a risk to others, please seek advice from a Safeguarding Adviser or if necessary report the matter to the Local Authority Social Care Services (01225 396312) or the Police without delay. If there is immediate risk or danger please contact the Police on 101.